초록 ▼

This invention is a user-propelled riding toy. A platform on which a user stands is supported by a steering mechanism that transfers a directional force from the platform; and a geartrain mounts to the wheels. The geartrain is adapted to receive a downward force from the platform, and translate a po

This invention is a user-propelled riding toy. A platform on which a user stands is supported by a steering mechanism that transfers a directional force from the platform; and a geartrain mounts to the wheels. The geartrain is adapted to receive a downward force from the platform, and translate a portion of the downward force into a rotational force on the wheels. The geartrain also provides an upward return force acting on the platform, and translates a directional force into a lateral force acting on the wheels. The platform is propelled forward direction by the rotational force on the wheels. Lateral forces cause two sets of wheels to pivot in opposite directions, and thereby directionally steer the platform.

대표청구항 ▼

The invention I claim is: 1. An apparatus for propelling a user standing on the apparatus, comprising: a platform to support the user; wheels; a steering support adapted to transfer a directional force front the platform to pivot at least one steered wheel relative to at least one other wheel; a ge

The invention I claim is: 1. An apparatus for propelling a user standing on the apparatus, comprising: a platform to support the user; wheels; a steering support adapted to transfer a directional force front the platform to pivot at least one steered wheel relative to at least one other wheel; a geartrain coupled to the platform, wheels, and steering support, the geartrain providing an upward return force to the platform and coupling at least one driven wheel to the platform so that downward motion of the platform causes rotation of the at least one driven wheel to propel the platform forward; and a brake mounted to the geartrain. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the wheels comprise a front set of wheels and a rear set of wheels, and the steering support mounts to a lower portion of the platform and to the geartrain. 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the geartrain comprises an overrunning clutch. 4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the geartrain comprises a helical compression spring. 5. An apparatus for propelling a user, comprising: a platform to support the user; wheels; a hinge joint adapted to transfer a downward force from the platform to a geartrain, pivot downward in response to a downward force from the platform, and pivot upward in response to a return force; a geartrain coupled to the platform, wheels, and hinge joint, the geartrain coupling at least one driven wheel to the hinge joint so that a downward force from the platform rotates the geartrain causing rotation of the at least one driven wheel to propel the platform forward, and wherein the geartrain provides a return force to the hinge joint; and a brake mounted to the geartrain. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the geartrain comprises an overrunning clutch. 7. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the geartrain comprises a spring. 8. An apparatus for propelling a platform, comprising: means for translating a downward force applied to a first portion of the platform to a rotational force on at least one wheel; means associated with the means for translating for generating a return force to the platform; means for translating a downward force applied to a second portion of the platform to a rotational force on the wheel; means associated with the means for translating for generating a return force on the second portion of the platform; and means associated with the platform for translating a directional force applied to the platform to pivot a first set of wheels in a direction counter to a second set of wheels, wherein the platform moves in a lateral direction. 9. A skateboard, comprising: a footboard having a front and a rear; multiple wheels; a drive mechanism coupled to both the footboard and the wheels, the drive mechanism being configured to drive at least two of the wheels; and a steering mechanism coupled to both the footboard and the drive mechanism, the steering mechanism being configured to pivot the drive mechanism in response to a lateral force applied to the footboard to enable steering of the skateboard. 10. The skateboard of claim 9, wherein the steering mechanism comprises: a steering support mounted to the footboard; a hinge joint mounted to the footboard and pivotally connecting the drive mechanism to the footboard; and a steering linkage that couples the drive mechanism to the steering support. 11. The skateboard of claim 10, wherein the steering support is a brace mounted to the footboard with a support linkage. 12. The skateboard of claim 10, wherein the steering support is hingedly connected to the footboard such that the steering support pivots in response to movement of the footboard during steering of the skateboard. 13. The skateboard of claim 10, wherein the steering linkage comprises a vertical hinge and a horizontal binge to enable the drive mechanism to have a three-dimensional range of motion relative to the steering support. 14. The skateboard of claim 10, wherein the steering linkage pivots the drive mechanism in response to pivoting of the steering support that results from movement of the footboard during lateral pivoting of the skateboard. 15. The skateboard of claim 10, wherein the hinge joint comprises a mounting cup attached to the footboard and the drive mechanism. 16. The skateboard of claim 10, wherein the hinge joint is configured to allow the drive mechanism to pivot and slide laterally with respect to the footboard within the hinge joint in response to movement of the footboard during turning and driving of the skateboard. 17. The skateboard of claim 9, wherein the steering mechanism further comprises adjustment bolts, the adjustment bolts being configurable to increase or decrease the pivot of the drive mechanism in response to movement of the footboard during turning and driving of the skateboard. 18. A user-propelled skateboard, comprising: a single-piece footboard having a front and a rear; front and rear axles; two wheels mounted to each axle; a drive mechanism coupled to both the footboard and the axles, the drive mechanism comprising a front transmission assembly associated with the front axle and a rear transmission assembly associated with the rear axle, each transmission assembly including: a rack mounted to the footboard with a hinge joint, a gear train coupled to the rack and an axle, the gear train being driven by linear displacement of the rack, and a support that is connected to the footboard at a pivot point and connected to both transmission assemblies at a linkage; wherein the footboard is pivotable about the pivot point so as to be alternately pivoted downward at the front and rear to displace the racks and thereby drive their gear trains to, in turn, drive the wheels such that such, front and rear alternate pivoting drives the skateboard in a forward direction. 19. The skateboard of claim 18, further comprising a steering mechanism coupled to both the footboard and the drive mechanism, the steering mechanism including: a steering support connected to the footboard; a hinge joint connected to the footboard and to the drive mechanism; and a steering linkage connected to the drive mechanism and the steering support; wherein the application of a lateral force to the footboard pivots the steering support, which in turn pivots the steering linkage, which in turn pivots the wheels to turn the skateboard. 20. The skateboard of claim 18, wherein the transmission assembly further comprises a compression spring that provides an expansion force between the footboard and the transmission assembly so as to urge the footboard away from the transmission assembly.